Commentary

It hasn't received much attention, but the Rev. Pat Robertson's
Christian Coalition has spread its operations to New
Jersey.

Not to worry, it's not like states like Michigan or Iowa where
the Christian Coalition effectively runs the Republican
organization.

Not yet, anyway.

In the recent Republican gubernatorial primary, the coalition
circulated a candidate questionnaire on issues important to its
growing Jersey membership.

This is something any tax-exempt organization can do without
violating the charitable tax laws as long as they don't make any
voting recommendation or otherwise take sides.

No surprise, Bret Schundler was right in line with the
ultra-conservative views of the coalition.

He was ready (where Bob Franks was not) to push prayer in the
schools, an end to state funding of the arts as well as to Medicaid
funding for abortions, and he opposed registration of
firearms.

But what caught my eye is that Schundler signed his
questionnaire certifying that he wants to end state funding for
Planned Parenthood.

Planned Parenthood: It

Helps Prevent Abortions

I have friends who oppose abortion, but support Planned
Parenthood. Why? Because nationally and in New Jersey, Planned
Parenthood does more to prevent unwanted pregnancies and hence,
abortions, than any organization or program. If there were one area
where one would hope that even a zealot like Bret Schundler could
find common ground with pro-choice forces, it would be in the
provision of contraceptive and gynecological health services to
poor women.

"Zealot" is a strong word, but it fits in this case. I can't
recall any major party in this area nominating a candidate for
statewide office who opposes giving the victims of rape and incest
the chance to terminate the resulting pregnancy.

Schundler does so unapologetically .New Jersey currently
supports family planning services in two ways. First, gynecological
examinations and contraceptive services are included in Medicaid,
the health insurance program for poor families.

Second, for many years the state hasappropriated funds to family
planning organizations, including Planned Parenthood, to reach poor
women not eligible for Medicaid.

A Boon To Elizabeth

Consider the Planned Parenthood clinic in Elizabeth, a city
bursting with new immigrant families, most of which are not in the
welfare and Medicaid system. For those who are, there are
practically no private physicians who accept Medicaid patients,
because reimbursement rates are ridiculously low.

For the vast majority of poor married women in Elizabeth, there
are no contraceptive health services available except for Planned
Parenthood. That means no annual gynecological exam, no screening
and treatment for sexually transmitted disease (STDs) including HIV
or for cervical cancer, and no birth control services.

The Elizabeth clinic is going through its third expansion in
just the last eleven years and even with that is hard pressed to
meet the demand for exams, contraceptives, and treatment. Ten years
ago, the clinic served about 1,250 women; today it has 4,700
patients. State appropriations are essential to maintaining and
expanding the reach of these essential services.

Bret Schundler wants to cut off services to poor women. If he
were to succeed,we would see a noticeable increase in unwanted
pregnancies, in the incidence of STDs and cervical cancer. Early
detection and early treatment, possible with regular gynecological
examinations, are the best treatment for STDs and cervical
cancer.

Here's What Gov. Schundler Could Do

When confronted about his extreme views on such questions,
Schundler responds that he would never try to impose his beliefs on
anyone. As long as a majority of New Jerseyans support safe and
legal abortions and family planning services, he'll just bite his
tongue, he says.

But this is an area where a Gov. Schundler could eradicate these
services out of the glare of legislative or public combat simply by
redlining the budget for family planning and changing the Medicaid
regulations. A quiet stroke of the pen here and there, and, of a
sudden, poor women are out of luck and services and Schundler's
avid Christian Coalition supporters can rejoice at their victory.
Tens of thousands of New Jersey women rely on Planned Parenthood
and other non- profit and governmental family planning agencies to
make the decision about abortion unnecessary. It's too bad that
such an enthusiastic opponent of abortion under any circumstances
wants to take away the means of avoiding abortion and, with it, the
promise of healthy lives for poor women and their children. Say it
ain't so, Bret.

(Editor's Note: The writer, a resident of Morristown, is a
former Democratic state Senator and Assemblyman from Morris County.
He leads Citizens for Better Schools, a non-profit organization
based in Newark focused on improving public education in the state.
Mr. MacInnes' column, which reflects his individual views, appears
here the first and third week of the month, alternating with a
column by Jim Wallwork, a former Republican state senator and
gubernatorial candidate. His e-mail address is
macinnes@gti.net.)

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Online Poll

In recent weeks, Long Hill Township and Watchung Borough passed ordinances allowing their police departments to be able to apply for surplus equipment from the Department of Defense. Long Hill recently procured a Humvee to use in times of flooding, which Watchung states as the reason they are getting into the program. However, in cities around the country, police forces have used the program to obtain military gear, such as weapons and armor.
For more background, go to the link below
http://www.newjerseyhills.com/echoes-sentinel/news/watchung-police-department-hopes-to-receive-equipment-from-department-of/article_12ad002a-92b3-5449-a2cc-4b2cf0ce4339.html